Coordinating the use of independent radio receivers associated with a single transmitter

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method comprises discovering, by a client device, an available host computing device implementing a radio receiver, wherein the host computing device is identified from a decentralized shared database; establishing, by the client device, a relationship with the host computing device based on discovering the host computing device from the decentralized shared database; receiving, by the client device, application data from the host computing device based on establishing the relationship, wherein the application data is associated with radio signals received by the radio receiver from a single transmitter; and storing, outputting, or displaying, by the client device, the application data.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to coordinating the use ofunrelated radio receivers and, more particularly, to coordinating theuse of unrelated radio receivers that receive radio signals from asingle transmitter.

Radio receivers, such as software defined radios (SDRs) are radiocommunication systems in which components that have been typicallyimplemented in hardware (e.g. mixers, filters, amplifiers,modulators/demodulators, detectors, etc.) are instead implemented bysoftware on a personal computer or embedded system. A basic SDR systemmay include a computer device (e.g., a personal computer, miniaturecomputer, mobile device, etc.) equipped with a sound card, or otheranalog-to-digital converter, preceded by some form of radio frequency(RF) front end. In an SDR system, significant amounts of signalprocessing are handed over to the general-purpose processor, rather thanbeing done in special-purpose hardware (electronic circuits). Such adesign produces a radio which can receive and transmit widely differentradio protocols or frequencies (sometimes referred to as waveforms)based solely on the software used.

SDR receivers are used in applications in which a wide variety ofchanging radio protocols and frequencies are required in real time. SDRreceivers are often individually owned and operated, and thus,coordinating the use of multiple different SDR receivers for variousapplications is complex, if at all possible.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method comprisesdiscovering, by a client device, an available host computing deviceimplementing a radio receiver, wherein the host computing device isidentified from a decentralized shared database; establishing, by theclient device, a relationship with the host computing device based ondiscovering the host computing device from the decentralized shareddatabase; receiving, by the client device, application data from thehost computing device based on establishing the relationship, whereinthe application data is associated with radio signals received by theradio receiver from a single transmitter; and storing, outputting, ordisplaying, by the client device, the radio related data.

In an aspect of the invention, there is a computer program product forcoordinating the use of independent and unrelated radio receivers. Thecomputer program product comprises a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsexecutable by a client device to cause the client device to: identify,from a decentralized shared database, an available host computing deviceimplementing a radio receiver receiving radio signals from a singletransmitter; provide a request to access the identified host computingdevice; receive an indication of acceptance of the request; provideinformation regarding an application code to the host computing devicefor execution on the host computing device based on receiving theindication of acceptance; receive radio related data from the hostcomputing device based on providing the information regarding theapplication code to the host computing device, wherein the radio relateddata is associated with the radio signals received by the radio receiverfrom the single transmitter; and store, output, or display the radiorelated data.

In an aspect of the invention, a system comprises: a CPU, a computerreadable memory and a computer readable storage medium associated with ahost computing device implementing a radio receiver that receives radiosignals from a single transmitter; program instructions to provide theavailability of host computing device and the radio receiver of the hostcomputing device to be used by a client device, wherein the availabilityis provided via a decentralized shared blockchain; program instructionsto receive a request from the client device to access data associatedwith radio signals received by the radio receiver based on providing theavailability of the host computing device; program instructions toreceive information for obtaining an application code associated withthe host computing device; program instructions to obtain theapplication code based on receiving the information for obtaining theapplication code; and program instructions to execute the applicationcode, wherein executing the application code includes processing dataassociated with the radio signals received by the radio receiver andprovide the processed data to the client device. The programinstructions are stored on the computer readable storage medium forexecution by the CPU via the computer readable memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in the detailed description whichfollows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing node according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show overviews of example implementations in accordancewith aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an example flowchart for coordinating the use of a radioreceiver implemented by a host computing device in accordance withaspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an example implementation for coordinating the use ofmultiple unrelated radio receivers to generate a signal strength map inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an example implementation for coordinating the use ofmultiple unrelated radio receivers to determine a location of atransmitter in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an example implementation for accessing an independentradio receiver by a client device for receiving radio audio from atransmitter outside of communications range of the client device inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to coordinating the use ofunrelated radio receivers and, more particularly, to coordinating theuse of unrelated radio receivers that receive radio signals from asingle transmitter. As described herein, aspects of the presentinvention may include systems and/or methods to discover, negotiate, andcontract with radio receivers in order to coordinate the use ofunrelated radio receivers that receive radio signals from a singletransmitter. In embodiments, the radio receivers may be implemented byhost computing devices (e.g., portable computing devices, miniaturecomputing devices, mobile computing devices, etc.). For example, a hostcomputing device may include an integrated or external peripheral radioreceiver. The radio receiver may include SDR receivers and/or othertypes of radio receiver.

In embodiments, independent and unrelated host computing devices eachimplementing independent and unrelated radio receivers may provideinformation indicating their respective availabilities to be contractedwith and/or used for various applications. As described herein, a clientdevice may contract with one or more host computing devices in order toutilize the radio receivers of the host computing devices. For example,a client device may contract with one or more host computing devices inorder to implement an application using the radio receivers (e.g., asignal strength map application, a transmitter location identificationapplication, a radio audio streaming application, and/or other type ofapplication that uses radio receivers).

As described herein, a blockchain, peer-to-peer network, and/or similartechnique may be used to provide host computing device information(e.g., information identifying the availability of host computingdevices and their respective radio receivers to be contracted). That is,the providing of host computing device information may be decentralized,and the blockchain may be a decentralized shared database of hostcomputing device information. A client device may discover a hostcomputing device from the blockchain in order to establish a contractingrelationship with the host computing device. As described herein, theblockchain may be used to facilitate the financial transaction betweenthe client device and the host computing device in connection with theclient device contracting with the host computing device for use of theradio receiver. Advantageously, the use of scattered, unrelated, andindependent radio receivers can be coordinated for various applications,such as radio spectrum analysis (e.g., signal strength mapping),transmitter localization, audio streaming, or the like.

Aspects of the present invention provide a technical solution to thetechnical problem of coordinating the use of scattered, unrelated, andindependent radio receivers. For example, aspects of the presentinvention include a system and/or method to provide consolidated hostcomputing device information (e.g., via a blockchain) which identifiesradio receivers associated with a single transmitter that can becontracted and used for a particular application (e.g., localizing atransmitter, identifying received signal strengths of the transmitter atvarious geographic locations, streaming audio from a radio station,etc.). Further, aspects of the present invention provide a technicalsolution to the technical problem of producing a signal strength map.For example, aspects of the present invention include a system and/ormethod to receive signal strength information from various unrelatedradio receivers in a geographic area, and associate the signal strengthinformation with geographic location information from which a signalstrength map can be generated. Further, aspects of the present inventionprovide a technical solution to the technical problem of localizing atransmitter. For example, aspects of the present invention include asystem and/or method to receive signal information from variousunrelated radio receivers, and use the received signal information toidentify the location of a transmitter using triangulation techniques.Further, aspects of the present invention provide a technical solutionto the technical problem of receiving audio radio signals from atransmitter (e.g., radio station) that is outside of its communicationsrange. For example, aspects of the present invention include a systemand/or method to receive audio radio signals, and stream the audio to aregion outside of the communications range.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a nonremovable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and radio receiver application processing 96.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the Program/utility 40 may include one or moreprogram modules 42 that generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described hereinincluding functionality of the radio receiver application processing 96of FIG. 3. Specifically, the program modules 42 may discover hostcomputing devices, provide proposals to use radio receivers on the hostcomputing devices, and receive application data related to anapplication that uses the radio receivers of the host computing devices.Other functionalities of the program modules 42 are described furtherherein such that the program modules 42 are not limited to the functionsdescribed above. Moreover, it is noted that some of the modules 42 canbe implemented within the infrastructure shown in FIGS. 1-3. Forexample, the modules 42 may be representative of a client device and/ora host computing device as shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an overview of an example implementation inaccordance with aspects of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4,environment 400 may include a client device 210, a host computing device215, a radio receiver 220, a transmitter 225, a blockchain network 230,and a network 240. Client device 210 and host computing device 215 mayinclude one or more of the components of computing system/server 12 ofFIG. 1, such as one or more program modules 42. Further, client device210 may include a radio receiver contracting module 212, which mayinclude one or more program modules 42 that perform one or morefunctions of the client device 210 as described below. In embodiments,the host computing device 215 may include a radio receiver hostingmodule 218, which may include one or more program modules 42 thatperform one or more functions of the host computing device 215 asdescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the host computing device 215 may implement a radioreceiver 220 that receives radio signals from a single transmitter 225.The client device 210 and the host computing device 215 may communicatewith a blockchain network 230. The blockchain network 230 may include apeer-to-peer network via which a blockchain (e.g., a shared database) isexchanged and synchronized between participants of the blockchainnetwork 230. For example, the participants of the blockchain network 230may include any type of computing device that is capable ofcommunicating via a computing network. In the example of FIG. 4, theclient device 210 and the host computing device 215 may be participantsof the blockchain network 230, and thus, the client device 210 and thehost computing device 215 may each store or access the same blockchain.As described herein, the blockchain may include host computing deviceparticipation information in which host computing devices that areavailable for contracting are identified in the blockchain.

At step 1.1, the client device 210 may discover the host computingdevice 215 from the blockchain. For example, the client device 210 mayfilter the blockchain to identify host computing devices that meetparticular criteria (e.g., contracting/pricing criteria, applicationcompatibility criteria, radio operating frequency criteria, geographiclocation criteria, an identifier of a transmitter from which radiosignals are received, etc.). In embodiments, the client device 210 mayfilter the blockchain based on real-time user input of filteringcriteria. Additionally, or alternatively, the client device 210 mayautomatically filter the blockchain based on preconfigured criteria(e.g., each time radio receiver services are needed from a hostcomputing device).

At step 1.2, the client device 210 may provide an application code forexecution on the host computing device 215. For example, the clientdevice 210 may provide the application code via a network 240 (e.g., anexternal network such as the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN),cellular network, etc.). Alternatively, the client device 210 mayprovide an instruction for the host computing device 215 to obtain theapplication code from another source. As described herein, theapplication code includes instructions for the host computing device 215to process and/or provide data relating to radio signals received by itsradio receiver 220 from the transmitter 225. For example, theapplication code may relate to a signal strength mapping application, atransmitter localization application, a radio audio streamingapplication, etc. In embodiments, the host computing device 215 mayreceive the application code, and may validate and/or authenticate theapplication code (e.g., to ensure that the application code is receivedfrom an authorized device and does not include malicious and/orhazardous code). For example, the host computing device 215 mayauthenticate the code using any combination of authentication,encryption, decryption, and/or other techniques. As an example, athird-party cryptographic signing authority and/or service may be usedto verify that a signature of the application code is associated theclient device 210.

After receiving and authenticating the application code, at step 1.3,the host computing device 215 may execute the application code, and atstep 1.4 the host computing device 215 may provide application data tothe client device 210. The application data may include data relating tothe executed application. As an example, the host computing device 215may execute the application code to provide the client device 210 withapplication data including information identifying the signal strengthof a received signal at the geographic location of the host computingdevice 215. For example, the host computing device 215 may execute theapplication code to tune the radio receiver 220 to a particularfrequency at which the transmitter 225 is transmitting, receive theradio signals transmitted by the transmitter 225, and provide theapplication data. The client device 210 may use the application data togenerate a signal strength map (e.g., by consolidating signal strengthinformation and geographic location information from multiple differenthost computing devices 215 at different geographic locations). Inembodiments, the client device 210 may use the application data frommultiple different host computing devices 215 to geographically locatethe transmitter 225 using triangulation techniques (e.g., for a “rogue”transmitter that may be transmitting radio signals via an unauthorizedfrequency). In this way, information from independent and unrelatedradio receivers that each reactive radio signals from a singletransmitter can be coordinated in a simple and effective manner.

In embodiments, the client device 210 may store, output, or display theapplication data (step 1.5). For example, the client device 210 maydisplay the application data in the form of a map (e.g., a signalstrength map), a chart, a graph, or other format. In embodiments, theapplication data may include audio data which may be output via aspeaker of the client device 210 (e.g., for a radio audio streamingapplication). In embodiments, the client device 210 may output theapplication data to another device. For example, the client device 210may be a cloud server that may store the application data for access byan external device.

Referring to FIG. 5, information from a blockchain 250 may be used tofacilitate a financial transaction in connection with contracting thehost computing device 215 for use of the radio receiver 220. Forexample, at step 2.1, the client device 210 may discover the hostcomputing device 215 (e.g., in a similar manner as described above withrespect to step 1.1 of FIG. 4). At step 2.2 the client device 210 mayoutput a radio usage proposal that identifies the terms under which hostcomputing device 215 may be contracted for use of the radio receiver220. For example, the radio usage proposal may identify the applicationto be executed, the length of service, the type of service, pricinginformation, etc. At step 2.3, the host computing device 215 may providean acceptance of the proposal thereby establishing a contractingrelationship between the client device 210 and the host computing device215. For example, the contracting relationship may be established byestablishing a peer-to-peer connection between the client device 210 andthe host computing device 215. At step 2.4, the client device 210 maywrite transaction information to the blockchain 250 that effectuates atransfer of funds from an account of the client device 210 to an escrowaccount (e.g., a trusted escrow account between parties associated withthe client device 210 and the host computing device 215). Inembodiments, the client device 210 may write transaction information tothe blockchain 250 via a mining service.

At step 2.5, the client device 210 may provide the application code tothe host computing device 215, and the host computing device 215 mayexecute the application code (at step 2.6) and provide application data(at step 2.7) to the client device 210 (e.g., in a similar manner as isdiscussed above with respect to steps 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of FIG. 4). Atstep 2.8, the client device 210 may write transaction information to theblockchain 250 (e.g., when the client device 210 receives theapplication data from the host computing device 215), that effectuates atransfer of funds from the escrow account to an account of the hostcomputing device 215. At step 2.9, the client device 210 may store,display, or output the application data (e.g., in a similar manner asdescribed above with respect to step 1.5 of FIG. 4).

As described above, independent and unrelated host computing devices 215each implementing independent and unrelated radio receivers 220 mayprovide information indicating their respective availabilities to becontracted with and/or used for various applications. As describedherein, a client device 210 may contract with one or more host computingdevices 215 in order utilize the radio receivers 220 of the hostcomputing devices 215. In embodiments, a contracted host computingdevices 215 may obtain and execute an application or code container inorder to provide the client device 210 with a service relating to theuse of the radio receiver 220.

As an example, contracted host computing devices 215 may execute anapplication which directs the contracted host computing devices 215 tooutput information regarding respective signal strengths for receivedsignals transmitted by a particular transmitter within a particulargeographic area. The client device 210 may use the signal strengthinformation to generate a signal strength map identifying the signalstrength of a received transmitter signal at various geographiclocations within the geographic area. As another example, the clientdevice 210 may use signal strength information from various radioreceivers 220 to triangulate and locate the source of a particulartransmitter (e.g., a “rogue” transmitter that is transmitting signals onan unauthorized frequency). As another example, a contracted hostcomputing devices 215 may execute an application that directs the hostcomputing devices 215 to provide audio from a single transmitter (e.g.,a radio station) to the client device 210. The client device 210 mayitself play the audio, or stream the audio to another device. In thisway, the client device 210 may play the audio or stream the audio from aradio station outside of communications range.

As described herein, a blockchain, peer-to-peer network, and/or similartechnique may be used to provide host computing devices 215 information(e.g., information identifying the availability of host computingdevices 215 and their respective radio receivers 220 to be contracted).That is, the providing of host computing devices 215 information may bedecentralized, and the blockchain may be a decentralized shared databaseof host computing devices 215 information. The host computing devices215 information may identify the types of radio receivers 220implemented by the host computing devices 215, operating frequencies ofthe radio receivers 220, applications that the host computing devices215 may implement, etc. A client device 210 may discover a hostcomputing device 215 from the blockchain, and may filter the blockchainto identify host computing devices 215 that meet certain criteria basedon a desired application. For example, if the client device 210 is to beused to identify received signal strengths from a particular transmitterwithin a particular geographic area, the blockchain may be searchedand/or filtered to identify host computing devices 215 that implementradio receivers 220 within the particular geographic area and receivesignals from a particular transmitter. Further, the host computingdevices 215 information may identify pricing terms, service levelagreements, and/or other contracting terms. The client device 210 may beused to filter host computing devices 215 based on the contractingterms.

As described herein, a blockchain may be used to facilitate thefinancial transaction between the client device 210 and the hostcomputing devices 215 in connection with the client device 210contracting with the host computing devices 215 for use of the radioreceiver 220. For example, the client device 210 may provide a proposalto the host computing devices 215. In embodiments, a user of the clientdevice 210 may provide user input via a user interface to select andprovide proposals to host computing devices 215. Alternatively,proposals may be sent without user interaction (e.g., based on anautomated technique in which the client device 210 automaticallycontracts with host computing devices 215 to execute an application. Theproposal may include an offer to contract the host computing devices 215to execute an application based on radio signals received by the radioreceiver 220 (e.g., a signal strength application, a transmitterlocation triangulation application, a radio audio playback application,etc.). The proposal may include a price for contracting the hostcomputing devices 215, and/or other contracting terms.

In embodiments, the host computing devices 215 may receive and acceptthe proposal. For example, the host computing devices 215 mayautomatically accept the proposal if the proposal adheres topreconfigured policies (e.g., pricing policies, usage policies, etc.).Alternatively, a user of the host computing devices 215 may receive theproposal via a user interface of the host computing devices 215, and mayprovide user feedback to accept the proposal. When a proposal isaccepted, the client device 210 may write transaction information to theblockchain that effectuates a transfer of funds from an account of theclient device 210 to an escrow account. The host computing devices 215may then provide the contracted service to the client device 210 (e.g.,by executing an application or code for the client device 210). Theclient device 210 may write transaction information to the blockchain(e.g., when the client device 210 receives the application data from thehost computing device 215). Advantageously, the use of scattered,unrelated, and independent radio receivers 220 can be coordinated forvarious applications, such as radio spectrum analysis (e.g., signalstrength mapping), transmitter localization, audio streaming, or thelike.

The quantity of devices and/or networks in the environments of FIGS. 4and 5 is not limited to what is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In practice, theenvironments may include additional devices and/or networks; fewerdevices and/or networks; different devices and/or networks; ordifferently arranged devices and/or networks than illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5. Also, in some implementations, one or more of the devices of theenvironments may perform one or more functions described as beingperformed by another one or more of the devices of the environments.Devices of the environments may interconnect via wired connections,wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wirelessconnections.

FIG. 6 shows an example flowchart for coordinating the use of a radioreceiver implemented by a host computing device in accordance withaspects of the present invention. The steps of FIG. 6 may be implementedin the environments of FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, and are describedusing reference numbers of elements depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. As notedabove, the flowchart illustrates the architecture, functionality, andoperation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computerprogram products according to various embodiments of the presentinvention.

As shown in FIG. 6, process 600 may include discovering a host computingdevice from a decentralized shared database (step 610). For example, theclient device 210 may discover a host computing device 215 from adecentralized shared database, such as a blockchain (e.g., in a similarmanner as described above with respect to step 1.1 and 2.1 of FIG. 4 andFIG. 5, respectively).

Process 600 may also include providing a radio usage proposal (step 620)and receiving acceptance of the proposal (step 630). For example, theclient device 210 may provide a radio usage proposal and receiveacceptance of the proposal (e.g., in a similar manner as described abovewith respect to step 2.2 and step 2.3 of FIG. 5). In embodiments, theradio usage proposal may include a request to access the host computingdevice 215 and a request to access data related to the radio signalsreceived by the radio receiver 220 of the host computing device 215. Theacceptance of the proposal may include an indication that the request toaccess has been granted.

Process 600 may also include establishing a contracting relationshipwith the host computing device 215 (step 640). For example, the clientdevice 210 may establish a contracting relationship with the hostcomputing device based on receiving the acceptance of the proposal(e.g., in a similar manner as described above with respect to step 2.2and step 2.3 of FIG. 5).

Process 600 may further include writing transaction information to fundan escrow account (step 650). For example, the client device 210 maywrite transaction information to the blockchain 250 to fund the escrowaccount (e.g., in a similar manner as described above with respect tostep 2.4 of FIG. 5). Process 600 may also include providing applicationcode (step 660). For example, the client device 210 may provide theapplication code to the host computing device 215 (e.g., in a similarmanner as described above with respect to step 1.2 and step 2.5 of FIGS.4 and 5, respectively).

Process 600 may further include receiving application data (step 670).For example, the client device 210 may receive the application data fromthe host computing device 215 (e.g., as described above with respect tosteps 1.4 and 2.7 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively). Process 600 may alsoinclude storing, outputting, or displaying the application data (step680). For example, the client device 210 may store, output, or displaythe application data (e.g., in a similar manner described above withrespect to steps 1.5 and 2.10 of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively). Process600 may further include writing transaction information to transferfunds from the escrow account to the house computing device account(step 690). For example, the client device 210 may write the transactioninformation to the blockchain 250 to effectuate a transfer of funds fromthe escrow account to the house computing device account (e.g., in asimilar manner described above with respect to step 2.8 of FIG. 5).

FIG. 7 shows an example implementation for coordinating the use ofmultiple unrelated radio receivers to generate a signal strength map inaccordance with aspects of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7,radio receivers 220-1 through 220-N (where N is greater than or equalto 1) may receive radio signals from a single transmitter (e.g. thetransmitter 225). In the example of FIG. 7, the client device 210 hascontracted with host computing devices 215-1 through 215-N for receivingsignal strength information from host computing devices 215-1 through215-N (e.g., based on the processes described herein). The hostcomputing devices 215-1 through host computing device 215-N may provideapplication data to the client device 210 in which the application dataincludes signal strength information and location information for eachof host computing devices 215-1 through host computing devices 215-N.The host computing device 215 may receive the application data, and maygenerate a signal strength map (as shown interface 700) that identifiesthe signal strengths for signals transmitted by the transmitter 225 andreceived by the host computing devices 215 at the locations of the hostcomputing devices 215. In the example of FIG. 7, each circle on the mapindicates the received signal strength by each radio receiver 220 at aparticular geographic location. Each circle may be colored or shadedsuch that different colors and shaded represent different signalstrengths (e.g., darker shades represent stronger signal strengths). Inthis way, a signal strength map can be generated using host computingdevices 215 that are unrelated to each other. In embodiments, an owneror administrator of the transmitter 225 may use the signal strength mapto identify geographic areas in which signal reception strength isrelatively low. The signal strength map may be used to modify thetransmitter 225 such that signal reception is improved in areas in whichsignal reception strength is relatively low. As described herein, theclient device 210 may provide the application data to another devicewithout itself displaying the signal strength map.

FIG. 8 shows an example implementation for coordinating the use ofmultiple unrelated radio receivers to determine a location of atransmitter in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 8, radio receivers 220-1 through 220-N (where N is greaterthan or equal to 1) may receive radio signals from a single transmitter(e.g. a portable transmitter 225 as opposed to a fixed transmitter as inthe preceding examples). The client device 210 may contract with thehost computing devices 215-1 through 215-N to receive informationidentifying the signal reception strength at various geographiclocations for signals received from the transmitter 225. In a similarmanner as described above in FIG. 7, the host computing devices 215-1through 215-N may provide application data to the client device 210 inwhich the application data includes information identifying the signalreception strength at various geographic locations. The client device210 may use the application data to generate a signal strength map andmay further identify a possible location of the transmitter 225 usingtriangulation techniques. In embodiments, the client device 210 maydisplay the signal strength map and the possible location. Additionally,or alternatively, the client device 210 may provide the application datato another device so that the other device may be used to display thesignal strength map and/or possible location of the transmitter 225.

FIG. 9 shows an example implementation for accessing an independentradio receiver by a client device for receiving radio audio from atransmitter outside of communications range of the client device inaccordance with aspects of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9,radio receiver 220 may receive audio radio signals from a transmitter225 (e.g., a radio station). In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, theclient device 210 has contracted with host computing device 215 forreceiving radio audio from the host computing device 215 (e.g., based onthe processes described herein). The host computing device 215 mayprovide the radio audio to the client device 210, and the client device210 may output the radio audio through a speaker of the client device210. In embodiments, the application code, associated with the clientdevice 210, may cause the host computing device 215 to convert the radioaudio into a format that can be streamed to the client device 210 via anIP network. In embodiments, the client device 210 may provide the radioaudio to another device without the client device 210 itself outputtingthe radio audio.

In embodiments, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to perform the processes described herein. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, deploy, support, etc., thecomputer infrastructure that performs the process steps of the inventionfor one or more customers. These customers may be, for example, anybusiness that uses technology. In return, the service provider canreceive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or feeagreement and/or the service provider can receive payment from the saleof advertising content to one or more third parties.

In still additional embodiments, the invention provides acomputer-implemented method, via a network. In this case, a computerinfrastructure, such as computer system/server 12 (FIG. 1), can beprovided and one or more systems for performing the processes of theinvention can be obtained (e.g., created, purchased, used, modified,etc.) and deployed to the computer infrastructure. To this extent, thedeployment of a system can comprise one or more of: (1) installingprogram code on a computing device, such as computer system/server 12(as shown in FIG. 1), from a computer-readable medium; (2) adding one ormore computing devices to the computer infrastructure; and (3)incorporating and/or modifying one or more existing systems of thecomputer infrastructure to enable the computer infrastructure to performthe processes of the invention.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:discovering, by a client device, an available host computing deviceimplementing a radio receiver from a decentralized shared database;establishing, by the client device, a relationship with the hostcomputing device based on discovering the host computing device from thedecentralized shared database; receiving, by the client device,application data from the host computing device based on establishingthe relationship, wherein: the application data is associated with radiosignals transmitted by only a single transmitter and received by theradio receiver of the host computing device, the client device isdetached from the single transmitter, and the single transmitter isseparate from the host computing device; providing the host computingdevice with information regarding an application code for execution onthe host computing device, wherein receiving the application data fromthe host computing device is based on providing the informationregarding the application code; and storing, outputting, or displaying,by the client device, the application data, wherein the application dataidentifies a signal reception strength of a radio signal received by theradio receiver from the single transmitter and a geographic location ofthe host computing device, and execution of the application code causesthe host computing device to: set a reception frequency of the radioreceiver to a transmission frequency of the single transmitter; receiveradio signals from the transmitter; and provide the application data tothe client device.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising generating a signal strength map based on theapplication data.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, furthercomprising: identifying an approximate location of the singletransmitter based on the application data; and displaying theapproximate location of the single transmitter on the signal strengthmap.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein theapplication data includes radio audio, the method further comprisingoutputting the radio audio.
 5. A computer program product forcoordinating the use of independent and unrelated radio receivers, thecomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsexecutable by a client device to cause the client device to: identify,from a decentralized shared database, an available host computing deviceimplementing a radio receiver receiving radio signals from only a singletransmitter; provide a request to access the identified host computingdevice; receive an indication of acceptance of the request; provideinformation regarding an application code to the host computing devicefor execution on the host computing device based on receiving theindication of acceptance; receive radio related data from the hostcomputing device based on providing the information regarding theapplication code to the host computing device, wherein the radio relateddata is associated with the radio signals received by the radio receiverfrom the single transmitter; generate a signal strength map based on theradio related data; and store, output, or display the radio relateddata, wherein the client device is detached from the single transmitter;the single transmitter is separate from the host computing device; theradio related data identifies a signal reception strength of a radiosignal received by the radio receiver from the single transmitter and ageographic location of the host computing device; and execution of theapplication code causes the host computing device to: set a receptionfrequency of the radio receiver to a transmission frequency of thesingle transmitter, receive radio signals from the single transmitter,and provide the radio related data to the client device.
 6. The computerprogram product of claim 5, wherein the program instructions cause theclient device to: identify an approximate location of the singletransmitter based on the application data; and display the approximatelocation of the single transmitter on the signal strength map.
 7. Thecomputer program product of claim 5, wherein the application dataincludes radio audio, the method further comprising outputting the radioaudio.
 8. A system comprising: a CPU, a computer readable memory and acomputer readable storage medium associated with a client device;program instructions to identify, from a decentralized shared database,an available host computing device implementing a radio receiverreceiving radio signals from only a single transmitter; programinstructions to provide a request to access the identified hostcomputing device; program instructions to receive an indication ofacceptance of the request; program instructions to provide informationregarding an application code to the host computing device for executionon the host computing device based on receiving the indication ofacceptance; program instructions to receive radio related data from thehost computing device based on providing the information regarding theapplication code to the host computing device, wherein the radio relateddata is associated with the radio signals received by the radio receiverfrom the single transmitter; program instructions to generate a signalstrength map based on the radio related data; and program instructionsto store, output, or display the radio related data, wherein the clientdevice is detached from the single transmitter; the single transmitteris separate from the host computing device; the radio related dataidentifies a signal reception strength of a radio signal received by theradio receiver from the single transmitter and a geographic location ofthe host computing device; and execution of the application code causesthe host computing device to: set a reception frequency of the radioreceiver to a transmission frequency of the single transmitter, receiveradio signals from the single transmitter, and provide the radio relateddata to the client device.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the programinstructions cause the client device to: identify an approximatelocation of the single transmitter based on the application data; anddisplay the approximate location of the single transmitter on the signalstrength map.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the application dataincludes radio audio, the method further comprising outputting the radioaudio.